Long Island, New York – A dangerous gas could already be building inside homes across Long Island as cool spring nights keep windows closed, allowing radon—known as the “invisible killer”—to accumulate indoors within hours. The risk increases quickly when airflow is limited during overnight temperature swings common this time of year.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally in soil and can enter homes through foundation cracks, basements, and crawl spaces. While Long Island is often considered a lower to moderate radon zone compared to upstate New York, elevated levels have still been detected in Nassau and Suffolk counties, particularly in homes with basements or slab foundations.
In communities including Hempstead, Brookhaven, Islip, and Huntington, spring conditions can trap indoor air overnight, allowing radon concentrations to rise. Health officials warn that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, linked to about 21,000 deaths annually.
Radon exposure produces no immediate symptoms, making testing the only reliable way to detect it. Short-term test kits can return results within 48 to 96 hours, and mitigation systems can reduce indoor levels by up to 99 percent when installed correctly.
Residents are urged to test homes now as conditions through April continue to support indoor buildup. Additional advisories may be issued as risks persist into early summer across the region.
